AUTOMOTIVE workshops are strictly prohibited from operating from the porches or front gates of residential properties, says Shah Alam deputy mayor Safriah Md Adzhar.
“Workshops operating from homes are a concern as they cause environmental pollution, safety issues and public nuisance.
“Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Enforcement Department will direct such workshop operations to cease immediately and impose fines if these notices are ignored,” she said after the city council’s full board meeting at Wisma MBSA.
Safriah said that such operations violated residential zoning regulations and posed a risk to the public.
She said complaints received regarding such businesses included noise pollution, used engine oil flowing into drains, increased traffic in the area and cars awaiting repairs taking up parking spaces usually occupied by residents.
“MBSA has taken a firm stance to address this matter,” said Safriah.
“Operators of 10 unlicensed workshops operating in Sections 7, 8, 19, 29, 33 and U2 had their businesses shut down last year and were slapped with fines.”
She said operators of such businesses would be given a 14-day period to relocate, after which legal action would be taken if they failed to comply.
“We will take action under MBSA’s Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing By-law 2007, under which a fine of RM600 will be issued for running a business without a licence.
“We will also issue a notice under Section 70 (12) of Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) for using without approval a building for purposes other than those for which it was originally built.
“Failure to comply with this notice will result in a RM5,000 fine,” she warned.
On a separate matter, Safriah said MBSA’s Enforcement Department had last month carried out a joint operation with Shah Alam District Police on an unlicensed cafe in Section 17.
“Besides operating without a licence, the business was also involved in online gambling activities, which violated MBSA’s Cyber Centre and Cyber Cafe By-laws 2007,” she said.
“Various items were seized during the operation, including closed-circuit TV cameras, modems and other related equipment.”
Safriah said the police also conducted inspections and detained several non-citizens for documentation reasons and further investigations.
“MBSA will continue to intensify enforcement operations from time to time to ensure compliance with regulations and to safeguard the community’s well-being and safety,” she said.
